Armed incidents make for tense Sunday

By David Knopf/Richmond News

Richmond Police resolved two tense situations Sunday, both of which involved armed suspects but no shots fired.

At 4:50 p.m., police were dispatched to a home in the 800 block of East Main Street following a report that a man in the home was holding a handgun to his head. The address is in the vicinity of the former Sonic Drive-In and Maurice Roberts Park.

Police Chief Chad Burnine said Monday a neighbor called police with the information.

In an official police release, Burnine said the man had barricaded himself in the cellar of the residence. Contrary to reports widely circulated on Facebook, he said no hostages were involved in the incident.

Two juveniles were in the home, Burnine said, but officers safely removed them and became involved in a standoff that ended without a shot being fired.

“At no point was the incident a hostage situation,” he said. “After a three-hour standoff and utilities being shut off to the residence, a hostage negotiator from the Richmond Police Department was able to talk the 33-year-old Richmond man into releasing his handgun and walking from the cellar, where he was taken into custody.